Pump construction



March 29, 1960 J. SIMER ETAL 2,930,326

PUMP CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 25. 1955 INVENTORS JKPOME S/MEE $505 I LEEunderarrelatively severe flexingstrain.

PUMP CONSTRUCTION Jerome Simer and 'Hs'ue Fu Lee, Minneapolis, Minn.,assignors, by mesne assignments, to said Jerome ,Simer Our inventionrelates generally to .pumps and more specifically to improvements inpumps of the type involving a coiled flexible tube and means forsuccessively collapsing rcircumferentially spaced portions of. the tubewhereby to apply pumping pressure within the discharge end portion ofthe tube .and suction to .the'inlet portion thereof.

:Pn'mps of this type have been heretofore used with varying degrees ofsuccess where relatively low pressure was required, and wherein the pumpwas located relatively close -to and 'at substantially the level of thesource of fluid .to be pumped. The use of this type of pump has beenlimited to an extremely small field in the pump art, wherein therequirements of volume and pressure were relatively low. Attempts havebeen made, without success, to .apply this type of pump to usesnecessitating the location of the pump at a level considerably abovethat of .the'source ,of fluid. In such applications, difliculty has beenencountered :in obtaining a tube which would be easily collapsed by aroller or other compressor element moving circumferentially about thecoil, but which would resistleollapsi-ng due to pressure differentialbetween the interior and exterior of the tube intermediate thecompressorelement and the inlet end portion of the tube. It has beenfound that, in order to utilize a tube having walls sufficiently rigidto withstand such pressure differential, the working life of the tubewas shortened to a marked,

degree, inasmuch as the :relatively rigid walls would crack or fractureunder continuous collapsing thereof by the roller or like compressor.Moreover, pumps of the above .type, utilizing one or more rollers tocompress or collapse the tube, caused the tube to be placed underexcessive wear, further tending to lessen the length of tube life; and.the relatively small area of the tube engagedby the roller at any giventime caused the tube to be placed An important object of our inventionis the provision of :a pump of the type set forth which is applicable toa wide variety of fluids, and which is capable of creating snflieientsuction at the inlet end thereof Without collapsing of the tube toenable the pump to be installed at an appreciable height above thesource of fluid and at a relatively :long distance therefrom.

Another important object of our invention is the provision of a pump ofthe character herein disclosed comprising a generally cylindrical casingelement, a generally cylindrical compressor :element contained in thecasing element and ec centric thereto, a flexible tube extendingcir-cumferentially between :said element, and novel means whereby"one-of said compressor elements is moved in an orbit about the axis ofthe other'thereof but is anchored against-rotation on its own axis withrespect to the other of said elements and said tube.

Another important object of our invention is the provision of a pump ofthe above type wherein the flexible tube -is made from relativelythin-walled highly flexible material, enabling the same to he .used forrelatively long periods .of time without replacement.

United States Patent ice Still another object of our invention is theprovision of a pump utilizing a coiled tube and having a novel means forpermitting spaced portions of the tube circumferentially of the'c oil tobe successively collapsed in a direction radially of the coil, and forholding portions of the tube diametrically opposite said collapsedportions against collapse such as might be caused by pressuredifferential between the interior and exterior thereof.

Another object of our invention is the provision of a 7 pump as setforth which is're'latively simple and inexpen sive to manufacture, whichis highly efiicient in operation,

and in which likereference characters indicate like parts throughout theseveral views; I .Fig. l is a fragmentary view in top plan of a pumbuilt in accordance with our invention, and a drive motor therefor;

Fig. 2 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section takensubstantially on the line 2--2 of Fig. '1, some parts being broken away;v

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the Fig. 12, some parts beingbroken away; and a Fig. 4-is a fragmentary section view in perspectiveof a modified form of the flexible tube of our invention;

in the preferred embodiment of our invention illustrated in 1-3, agenerally cylindrical casing, indicated in its entirety at A, is shownas comprising a pair ,of cooperating casing sections 1 and 2 formed'toprovide one line s-ss or convolution or turn of a helix. As shown inFig. 1, the v wardly projecting flanges 6 and 7 respectively, saidflanges,

6 and 7 defining opposite side Walls of a radiallyinwardly openingchannel 8 which extends substantially-the entire circular length of thecasing sections 1 and 2.

,A flexible tube 9 extends generally circumferentially or helicallywithin the casing A and is formed to provide a pair of longitudinallyextending, diametrically opposed outer and inner radial flanges :1-0 and11 respectively, the former of whichis contained in the channel 8defined by the flanges 6 and 7, A plurality of circumferentially spacednut equipped bolts 12' extend through aligned apertures in the flanges6, 7, and 10 to rigidlyanchontlie casing sections 1 and 2 and flexibletube 9 together.

Preferably-and as shown, circumferentially spaced ones I. a

of the clamping bolts 12' extend through suitable apertures in outersupportinglegs 13 and an intermediate supporting leg 14 which @extendupwardly from a supporting base 15, whereby to rigidly support thecasingA at a predetermined height above the base 15. The tube 9 isfurther provided with a pair of longitudinally extending flanges 16 and17 which project radially outwardly from the tube 9 in oppositedirections axially with respect to thecasing A. The purpose of theflanges 11, 16 and 17' will'be hereinafter described. -The flexible tube9 is preferably made from elastic material such as natural or syntheticrubber, and is shown as being reinforced with woven fabric which permitseasy flexing and collapsing of the tube walls, but which .restrains thetube against undue expansion due to pressure of fluid therein. Alsg'preferably and as shown, the tube 9 is normally ofa cir; cularcrosssection. However, desired; the tubelmay be made without thefabricreinforcing and with different cross sectional shapes, dependingupon'the vol Patented Mar. 29,. I

pressure requirements. As shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 2, theflanges 10 and 11 as well as the flanges 16 and 17 terminatesubstantially at the ends 3 and 3' of the casing A; and the oppositeends 18 and 19 of the tube 9 extend substantially tangentially outwardlyfrom the ends 3 and 3 respectively, of the casing A. Said opposite ends18 and 19 of the tube 9 are shown as being provided with commerciallyavailable fittings 20 having tubular stems 21 that are telescopicallyreceived in the adjacent end portions of the tube 9,. and held byconventional hose clamps 22. The fittings 20 are adapted to connect theend portions 18 and 19 to suitable conduit means not shown. Althougheither end 18 or 19 of the tube 9 may be utilized as the inlet end ofthe tube, for the purpose of the present example, the end 18 willhereinafter be designated as the inlet end whereas the end portion 19 ofthe tube 9 will be designated as the discharge end thereof.

A compressor, indicated in its entirety at B, is contained within thecasing section A radially inwardly of the tube 9 and eccentric to thecasing A and tube 9. The compressor B comprises a pair of compressorsections 23 and 24 which include generally cylindrical helical- 1yextending flanges 25 and 26 respectively, and helically extendingradially inwardly projecting flanges 27 and 28 respectively. The flanges27 and 28 define opposite sides of a radially outwardly openinghelically extending chan nel 29 for the reception of the tube flange 11.A plurality of circumferentially spaced nut-equipped bolts or the like30 extend through aligned apertures in the flanges 11, 27 and 28 torigidly anchor the flange 11 between the flanges 27 and 28.

The flange 27 is integrally formed with and projects radially outwardlyfrom an axially extending hub 31 having a bar 32 concentric with theflanges 25 and 26 but eccentric to the flanges 4 and of the casing A. Arotor 33 is journalled for rotation in the bar 32, and is provided withan axially extending aperture 34 through which extends a shaft 35. Theshaft 35 is held against rotation relative to the rotor 33 by a setscrewor the like 36. Preferably and as shown, the axis of the shaft 35 iseccentric to the rotor 33 and coincident with the axis of the casing A.The shaft 35 is connected to the drive shaft 37 of a motor 38 by asuitable coupling 39.

With reference to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be seen that the eccentricityof the compressor B with respect to the casing A is such that when oneportion of the flexible tube 9 is collapsed, another portiondiametrically opposite the collapsed portion is in a normal expandedcondition. Assuming that rotation is imparted to the shaft 35 and therotor 33 in a clockwise direction with respect to Fig. 2, the inlet end18 is subject to sub-atmospheric pressure or For the purpose ofpermitting collapsing of the tube 9 by the compressor B during itsorbital movement but preventing collapse thereof in a direction axiallyof the casing intermediate the compressor collapsed portion and theinlet end 18, we provide cooperating pairs of relatively rigid generallycircular bands 40 and 40' that are substantially coextensive with andthat are adhered to the radially inner and outer surfaces respectivelyof the tube flanges 16 and 17. As shown, the bands 40 and 40', like theaxially projecting flanges of the casing, and compressor, form aconvolution of a helix, and each of the bands 40 and 40' aresufliciently resilient to permit slight Y variations in the helicalpitch thereof during progressive compressor imparted collapsing of thetube 9. It will be seen, by reference to Fig. 3, that portions of thebands 40 and 40' of the flange 16 at the collapsed portion of the tube 9are moved axially away from corresponding portions of the bands 40 and40' associated with the flange 17. The relatively rigid quality of thebands 40 and*40'. tend to cause the portions thereof at the expandedpart of the tube opposite that of the collapsed portion thereof tospread apart in like manner, thus preventing collapse of the tube in 'adirection axially of the casing, which might otherwise occur due to thenegative pressure within the tube intermediate the compressor collapsedportion of the tube and the inlet end 18 thereof. Thus the tube 9 ispositively held against collapse in either radial or axial directionsand a relatively high degree of suction or negative pressure may beachieved in the inlet end 18 of the tube. Furthermore, theabove-described arrangement permits the use of a tube having arelatively thin wall with extreme flexibility; and inasmuch as there isno relative rotary movement between the compressor and the tube norbetween the tube and the casing, frictional wear on the tube by theother pump elements is avoided. As above indicated the end 19 of thetube may be utilized as the inlet end thereof, while the end 18 thereofmay be utilized as the discharge end, it being only necessary that theshaft 35 and rotor 33 be rotated in a counterclockwise direction withrespect to Fig. 2.

The modified form of tube shown fragmentarily in' Fig. 4 differs fromthat of Fig. 1-3, in that the modified tube, indicated at 41, hasopposed flanges 42 and 43 that suction. On the other hand, the oppositeend portion 19 r of the tube 9 is under pressure from the inside greaterthan atmospheric pressure. It will be noted that the com pressor elementB is held against rotation about its own axis by its connection to thecasing A through the tube 9 and flanges 10 and 11. Thus, when rotationis imparted to the rotor 33, the compressor B partakes of orbitalmovement about the common axis of the casing A and drive shaft 35, butno rotation of the compressor B about its own axis takes place. Duringthis orbital movement of the compressor B, circumferentially spacedportions of the tube coil will be successively collapsed ,by the flanges25 and 26 of the compressor B whereas diametri cally opposed portions ofthe tube 9 opposite the collapsed portions will be successively expandedto the nor mal cross sectionally circular shape of the tube by thepositive engagement of the flanges 27 and28 with the tube flange 11. Inother words, the connection between the opposed flanges 10 and 11 andtheir respective casing and compressor flanges insures expansion of thetube when relatively heavy suction is applied'inte rmediate thecompressor collapsed portion of the tube and the inlet end 22thereofareformed by folding longitudinally extended circum ferentially spacedportions of the tube wall along fold lines extending longitudinally ofthe tube, and anchoring the folded portions into face to face contact.Other opposed flanges 44 and 45, normal to the flanges 42 and 43, aresimilarly formed. Thus, the tube 41 may, if de' sired, be formed from alength of relatively large diam eter tubing or hose. Although the tube41 is shown as being devoid or reinforcing fabric it may be assumed thatthis tube, like the tube 9, may be likewise provided with reinforcingfabric if desired.

By using a natural or synthetic rubber tube in a pump of the type hereinset forth, or a tube of material having such rubber-like flexiblecharacteristics, we have been able to pump liquids containing abrasivesand other materials which heretofore created considerable damage tometallic pumps due to abrasion and corrosion. Moreover, we have beenable to achieve a much higher degree of suction in the inlet end of thepump with considerably longer pump life than has heretofore beenattained in pumps of this general character.

While we have shown and described a commercial embodiment of our novelpump structure, and one modified form, it will be understood that thesame is capable of further modification without departure from thespirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

What we claim is:

1. In a fluid pump, a generally cylindrical casing element, a flexibletube extending circumferentially about the inner surface of said casingelement, the ends of said tube extending outwardly from said casingelement, a generally cylindrical compressor element mounted in saidcasing element eccentric thereto and to said tube, means for impartingorbital movements to one of said elements about the axis of and relativeto the other of said elements whereby to successively collapsecircumferentially spaced portions of said tube in a direction radiallywith respect to said casing element, means on said tube and elements foranchoring said elements and tube against rotary movement relative toeach other during said orbital movement, and means for holding said tubeagainst collapse in a direction axially of said elements, saidlast-mentioned means comprising a pair of relatively rigid helicalreinforcing bands secured to said tube between said casing element andcompressor element and projecting radially outwardly therefrom in adirection axially of said elements.

2. In a fluid pump, a generally cylindrical casing defining a radiallyinwardly opening circumferentially ex tending channel, a generallycylindrical compressor contained within said casing eccentric theretoand defining a radially outwardly opening channel extendingcircumferentially thereof, a flexible tube extending generallycircumferentially of said casing and compressor, said tube having a pairof diametrically opposed radial flanges extending longitudinallythereof, each of said flanges being anchored in a different one of saidchannels, said tube having a second pair of diametrically opposedlongitudinally extending radial flanges substantially normal to saidfirst-mentioned flanges, a pair of relatively rigid generally circularbands each coextensive with one of the flanges of said second pair andrigidly anchored in face to face relationship with a different onethereof, and means for imparting orbital movement to said compressorabout the axis of said casing to successively collapse circumferentiallyspaced portions of said tube in a direction radially of said casing andto simultaneously successively expand portions of said tubediametrically opposite the collapsed portions thereof, said bandsholding said expanded portions of the tube against collapse in adirection axially of said casing.

3. The structure defined in claim 2 in which each of the flanges of saidpairs thereof comprises a longitudinally extended portion of the'wall ofsaid tube folded along fold lines extending longitudinally of the tubeto provide cooperating pairs of flange sections, said flange sectionsbeing secured together in face to face contact.

4. The structure defined in claim 2 in which said compressor is providedwith an axial bore, and in which said means for imparting orbitalmovement to said compressor comprises an eccentric rotor joumalled inthe bore, the axis of rotation of said rotor being coincidental with theaxis of said casing.

5. In a fluid pump, a generally cylindrical casing element, a flexibletube extending circumferentially about the inner surfaceof said casingelement, the ends of said tube extending outwardly from said casingelement, a generally cylindrical compressor element mounted in saidcasing element eccentric thereto and to said tube, means for impartingorbital movements to one of said elements about the axis of and relativeto the other of said elements whereby to successively collapsecircumferentially spaced portions of said tube in a direction radiallywith respect to said casing element, means on said tube and elements foranchoring said elements and tube against rotary movement relative toeach other during said orbital movement, and means for holding said tubeagainst collapse in a direction axially of said elements, said last-momtioned means comprising a relatively rigid reinforcing device engagingsaid tube between said casing element and said compressor element andprojecting radially outwardly therefrom in a direction axially of saidelements.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,251,235 Weydell July 29, 1941 2,414,355 B-ogoslowsky Jan. 14, 19472,693,766 Seyler Nov. 9, 1954

